"It wasn't so much the fact we won it, as the manner we played tonight," he said.

"We attacked intelligently, we used the ball well and we defended well.

"The attitudes haven't dropped at any stage, but you know at some point in time you need to get some emotional nourishment for the group and they were able to get that tonight."

Dayne Zorko had 14 of his 30 disposals in a frantic first term, one that featured a spectacular mark on the Stanley St wing.

He also kicked two goals and had 10 clearances in an explosive performance.

Captain Dayne Beams was a four-quarter driving force, finishing with 36 touches and showed his class in the greasy conditions, while Tom Rockliff (27) was excellent in his first match back from a dislocated shoulder.

Fagan would be delighted with some of the crisp ball movement, including one passage during the second term that started with a Daniel Rich kick-in and finished with a Zorko goal from 50m without the ball hitting the grass.

The win completes a terrific week for the club, following the signature of former number two draft pick Josh Schache, who committed to the Lions for a further two years.

MEDICAL ROOM

Brisbane Lions: It was a clean bill of health for the Lions with vice-captain Tom Rockliff getting through strongly in his first game back from three weeks out with a dislocated shoulder

Fremantle: Youngster Brady Grey hobbled off during the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. It meant the Dockers had just three players on the interchange bench for most of the match and used just 74 of their 90 rotations.

NEXT UPThe Lions won't be celebrating for too long, having one of the toughest tasks in the league next Saturday, playing Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Fremantle will take a much-needed break with the bye.